Vehicles

Pokémon No – The RAC warns drivers not to play game while behind the wheel

The RAC is warning pedestrians and drivers not to get “caught in the Pokémon mist” and ignore their own safety while walking near roads.

RAC road safety spokesman, Pete Williams, said: “The Pokémon GO revolution could take the illegal use of hand-held mobile phones at the wheel to another level.

“It has to be ‘Pokémon no-go’ when driving but it is just as important that pedestrians don’t get caught in the Pokémon mist and find themselves stepping into the path of danger.

“The risks are obvious but this feels like a whole new level of gaming addiction and yet another reason for people to be glued to their smartphones instead of looking where they are going.

“The game is proving massively popular with children and adults alike and is an encouragement for people to get out and explore their locality, and beyond, in their search for Pokémon characters but it is critical that drivers are not tempted to have the app running on their mobile phones when driving.”

“Pokémon GO may well be welcome entertainment for children stuck in the back of the car on a long journey this summer but parents will now be faced with a new challenge of constant requests to change route, slow down or speed up so their passengers can catch Pokémon characters.”